74
Item nr.


Gerard Main Separator Power Supply

An isolating transformer for work on ACDC radios.


Data for Gerard Main Separator
ProductionThe Netherlands, 1997.
Semi-
conductors
Bridge rectifier, 7805 (stabilizer for DC).
CabinetPlastic. Size 37x11x25 cm. Weight 6kg.
PowerAC 230V, 10.6W idle.
DocumentsSchema.

The Design

An isolating transformer gives 230V on the output while taking 230V on the input, so what is the big deal? The power leads are isolated from the ground, which is important when working on sets with the chassis connected directly to the mains. It basically separates your radio from the mains, while feeding it from the mains.

The unit was produced from scrap computer parts. I took two power supply transformers, both with 28V of output, and use the second one to transform the output of the first back to line voltage. Its primary coils can be switched between parallel and serial for either 110V or 220V of output. In its previous life, the plastc cabinet housed a 68000-based whatteverriddas. Here is an inside view.

The built in DC supply can be controlled from 6 to 11V, but by connecting an extra connector through a zener, I created a 2-7V supply as well. Due to transformer losses and the draw of the DC supply, the unit consumes over 10W of power when switched on.


Obtained10/1997 from old computer parts.
Condition8.
Value (est.)6,8€.

This Object

With some old semiconductor scrap I added a DC regulated power supply that can be controlled from 6 to 11V DC. In this way the unit also supplies transistorradios without the need to search the house for suitable batteries. In two decades, I blew the fuse two or three times, mostly by connecting defective radios on the AC out. With this little box taped to the back, I have spares at hand all the time.

Nice machine, I never regretted building it. In December 2016, I installed a small digital panel meter to indicate the DC output.


Part of Gerard's Radio Corner.
Generated by SiteBuilder on 26/2/2024 by Gerard (g.tel@uu.nl)